By Linny Folau

The Prime Minister of Japan HE Mr Taro Aso met with Tonga's Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele yesterday for a Bilateral Meeting during the Fifth Pacific Alliance Leaders Meeting PALM 5 in Hokkaido yesterday, Friday May 22.

The Japanese Prime Minister said that Tonga and Japan had developed a relationship, which was reflected in the Crown Prince Naruhito's attendance at the coronation of HM King George Tupou V in Tonga in 2008.

He said Japan's Embassy was set up in January this year and the first Permanent Japanese Ambassador in Tonga took office in March. The Prime Minister said he looked forward to further developing Japan and Tonga's relationship intimately.

"Our relation is cordial and we look forward for our relationship to be further strengthened with the opening of the new Japanese embassy in Tonga."

Solar systems aid

In relation to the issue of Climate Change the Japanese PM said he would like to offer grant aid assistance for solar panel generation systems under the cooperation of the Cool Earth Partnership.

The Tongan Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele said in response that Tonga's relationship with Japan is one of the longest and warmest ones. He acknowledged the grant assistance to Tonga from Japan thus extended a deep appreciation on behalf of the government and people of Tonga.

Dr Sevele said that Tonga supports the initiation of the Pacific Environmental Community but biomass and wind power generation were not suitable in Tonga "therefore we consider solar panels to be very important," he said.

On the subject of people-to-people exchange, he said that Tonga considers this human exchange program to be important as it is a pillar during the PALM 5 and Dr Sevele reflected that there are many Tongan students currently studying in Japan, with Japanese volunteers and citizens working in Tonga.

All Pacific Island Forum countries held individual Bilateral Meetings with the Japanese Prime Minister HE Taro Aso, and Tonga's Prime Minister was the last one to meet him.